Boiler fire delays Irish ferry sailing

Irish Ferries has given details of an incident on board its ferry Isle of Inishmore at Pembroke Dock at approximately 2.30 AM this morning (Wednesday, July 30) when a fault occurred in the thermal oil boiler, causing a minor fire. The function of the boiler is to preheat the oil used in the ship's engines.

The incident was detected by members of the crew and the unit shut down to minimize any risk. At the time of the incident, the vessel was making ready to sail on the 2.45 AM sailing from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare Port.

Some 227 passengers and 89 crew were on board at the time.

In accordance with agreed procedures all passengers were immediately alerted and were ready for disembarkation should that have been required. All emergency services were alerted, as is the practice in these situations.

All passengers were accounted for and kept fully informed of the situation. All were safe and unharmed and at no point were any passengers in danger. Passengers are being provided with food and refreshments on board and are being kept fully informed.

As a consequence, the affected 2.45 AM sailing from Pembroke and the 08.45 AM sailing from Rosslare were canceled. Later sailings were expected to operate subject to delay.

Launched in October 1996, the Isle of Inishmore first entered service on Irish Ferries Dublin - Holyhead route in March 1997. It has space on board for 2,200 passengers, 856 cars / 122 freight units and operates a scheduled service of two return sailings daily between Rosslare Harbor and Pembroke Dock.